The next day Hopsing was in Little Joe's room putting laundry away in the draw when he saw the broken knife. Hopsing knew that number three son didn't own a knife and he knew that it was number one son's knife.
Hopsing takes it and puts it in his pocket to show to Mista Cartwright when he came home. He heard the door shut and quickly finishes putting the laundry away.
Hopsing walks down the stairs to see Ben taking off his gun belt and quickly walks over to him. "Mista Cartwright" said Hopsing.
"What's the matter Hopsing?" asked Ben curiously. Hopsing pulls out the broken knife and shows it to Ben who was surprise to see it broken.
"That's Adam's knife where did you fine it?" question Ben. "Hopsing found it in Little Joe's draw when Hopsing was putting boy's clothes away" said Hopsing.
"Where is Little Joe?" asked Ben. "He's out doing chores" said Hopsing he quickly walks away into the kitchen.
Ben examines the knife and wonders why Joe would have it and how it had gotten broken. He knew Adam would be furious when he found out.
Adam walks in and over to his father. "I took care of the horses Pa" said Adam.
He notices something shiny and metal in his father's hands. "What do you got there Pa?" asked Adam inquisitively. Knowing he couldn't hide it from him Ben shows him the broken knife.
Adam's draw drops when he saw his precious knife broken. "Where did you find it?" asked Adam.
"I didn't Hopsing found it in Joe's dresser draw" said Ben. "Why was it in Joe's draw?" asked Adam his temper rising thinking that Joe had something to do with it.
"Hold on Adam we don't know if Joe had something to do with it. Let's not jump to conclusions until we get some facts" said Ben trying to calm his eldest son even though inside he was pretty angry with Joe to.
Not a moment sooner Hoss and Joe walk in carrying their school books. They could see that Adam was furious about something and Joe was nervous knowing exactly why he was furious and it made his stomach ache.
Ben looks at his sons. "Hoss why don't you go upstairs to your room and start on your homework" said Ben. Taking the hint Hoss hurries upstairs and out of earshot.
Adam stares at Joe and couldn't hold his temper any longer. "Why did you break my knife Joe?" yelled Adam. "It was …an accident Adam…I didn't mean to" said Joe apprehensively.
After hearing Joe say that it was accident made Adam even more furious. He was so furious that he didn't think before he started too bellowed out "I'M SICK OF YOU TOUCHING MY STUFF AND BEING A ANNOYING PEST".
Joe was shaken by his brother's rage and began to tremble. But Adam didn't care and kept going "You know what I can't wait to go to college so I can be the HELL away from YOU!"
Joe was hurt which quickly turn into anger and screams at the top of his lungs "GOOD I HOPE YOU NEVER COME BACK!"
Before Ben could intervene both Adam and Joe who couldn't stand the sight of each other stormed out of the room. Adam storms upstairs and Joe storms out the door slamming it with all his might behind him.